Lexical fields in Khmu language in Vietnam

Abstract

The classification into lexical fields (can  be called “register”) is very useful for the process of  collecting data about words (by ankets - predictive  vocabulary questionnaires) and compiling various  types of dictionaries, including explanatory and  translation dictionaries. This article tries to identify  lexical fields of Khmu language in Vietnam, propose  some applications of this approach. Lexical fields in  Khmu language includes natural objects and  phenomena; time and space; animals; plants; people;  human body parts; items; movements; nature;  counting numbers, indications, question words that  have grammatical meaning. In the case of Khmu  language in Vietnam, the classification into lexical  fields helps to collect the full range of words of this  language in the process of compiling Vietnamese -  Khmu Vietnam and Khmu Vietnam - Vietnamese  dictionaries; identifying parts of speech; grouping  words into different groups according to topics in  language education textbooks.